Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 Signs New Zealand athlete Rylee McMullen

November 20, 2024

Olympic hopeful joins the team as it expands its focus on track cycling

Roanoke, VA – November 20, 2024. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is proud to announce the signing of Rylee McMullen (NZL), a dynamic and accomplished cyclist from New Zealand, for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. With a career spanning multiple disciplines and continents, Rylee brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to the team as she sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I’m really excited to be joining Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24. This team has shown that they are capable of winning the biggest races in North America, and I’m stoked to continue to develop alongside such strong teammates,” commented McMullen. “With the team going into their 20th year, I know I’m signing with the best team in North America that has a solid foundation and a proven track record in developing world-class athletes. I’m happy to be part of a program that values a mixed calendar across road and track.”

Nicola Cranmer, Founder and General Manager of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24, added:
“While our team is largely focused on developing American athletes, bringing Rylee on board is a strategic addition as we expand our focus to include more track cycling. Rylee brings valuable international experience and a strong work ethic that will help elevate the entire team. She’s a great teammate with a fantastic personality and isn’t afraid to put in the hard work required to succeed. Rylee will also work closely with the New Zealand National Team program, which aligns perfectly with our goals of supporting athletes at the highest level.”

Growing up on New Zealand’s scenic North Island in an athletic family, Rylee competed in sports like water polo and swimming before discovering cycling at age 20. Her passion for the sport began on a whim when she entered a half Ironman during university and posted the fastest bike split, sparking her decision to focus entirely on cycling.

Her first road race was the 2016 Bev May Tour, where she raced unattached and claimed the QOM jersey. Just three months later, she signed with Australian team Roxsolt and began competing on their European and U.S. schedules. Rylee spent three seasons in the European peloton with UCI Team Andy Schleck-Immo Losch, followed by a move to the North American-based Instafund team in 2022. Most recently, she raced with UCI Continental DNA Pro Cycling, closing out the team’s final year in 2024.

Over the years, Rylee has earned numerous podiums in criteriums and road races across New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. On the track, her accolades include multiple medals at the Oceania Championships and a gold medal in the Elimination Race at the 2023 Oceania Championships. She capped her 2024 season with a National Championship in the Points Race in New Zealand.

Off the bike, Rylee holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Sport and Exercise Science and Business Marketing. She will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah during the 2025-2026 seasons.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is thrilled to welcome Rylee to the team and looks forward to her contributions as she embarks on this exciting next chapter in her career.

About Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24

Founded in 2005 with a vision to pave the way for athletes to the 2012 London Olympics, Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 is the longest-running women’s professional cycling team in the world. The team has evolved its name every four-year cycle—TWENTY12, TWENTY16, TWENTY20, TWENTY24, and soon TWENTY28, representing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. TWENTY24 has become a cornerstone of American women’s cycling, developing many of the sport’s most successful athletes. The program supports elite, junior, and para-cyclists while fostering talent in emerging disciplines like Zwift eSports and gravel racing. Dedicated to cultivating high-performance athletes, TWENTY24 also connects student-athletes with college scholarship opportunities through cycling and academics, creating a robust pipeline for the next generation of cycling talent.

Key sponsors and partners of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24 include Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Felt Bicycles, Zwift, Berglund Automotive, Kenda Tires and Velotec.

Media Contact

Nicola Cranmer
Email: teamtwenty24@gmail.com
Cell: +1 415 246 8791